FOUR years ago first-time mum Renee Williams had the seed of an idea.
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A qualified florist, Mrs Williams wanted to run a business from home in hours that worked around her new baby daughter.
Mrs Williams and sister-in-law Kami-Lee Kimball, who was also on maternity leave at the time, started Flowers with KR and Co at Thurgoona.
“Four years ago we started the business in her shed and it just became too big,” she said.
“It wasn’t a hobby any more.”
Last month Mrs Williams took over the business outright and rebranded as The Real Florist.
She wanted to focus on weddings, events, workshops and local deliveries.
The Real Florist is already booked out for weddings this year and almost booked out for 2019. She is now taking bookings for 2020.
Mrs Williams said she prided herself on personal service when it came to wedding flowers.
“With each bride, I like to take them out for coffee a couple of times to get to know them,” she said.
“I like to make something that suits.”
Mrs Williams offers DIY workshops the day before weddings where the bride and bridesmaids can learn how to make floral arrangements.
She makes the bridal bouquet, while the bridesmaids make their own and the bride makes the throwaway bouquet.
“Some girls turn up as doubters but at the end of the class they’re so proud of themselves for what they’ve achieved,” Mrs Williams said.
Having grown up at Jindera, Mrs Williams said her dad ran a wholesale nursery, which sparked her interest in flowers.
“My love for what I do stems directly from there,” she said.
Mrs Williams, a former Murray High School student, worked in pharmacy when she left school.
“I loved working with people but I’m also a really creative person and something was missing,” Mrs Williams said.
“I still love working at the Albury Private Hospital pharmacy two days a week but I get to use my creativity at The Real Florist workshops.”
Together with husband Danny, Mrs Williams now has two daughters, Marlie, 4, and Amelia, 2.
Mrs Williams will host her Watch them Grow program at Lavington Square on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
Children pot a seedling to take home and watch flourish.
Workshop donations are given to a range of charities.
Follow The Real Florist on Facebook or visit her website at therealflorist.com.au.
This is an edited version of the story. The Real Florist started last month.
